Cogeneration processes based on giant reed gasification combined with ORC and district heating for heat recovery: Comparative energy and exergy analysis
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This research work develops a comprehensive exergy and energy assessment of a cogeneration process using Giant Reed as feedstock, which consists of a biomass dryer, a fluidized bed gasifier, an internal combustion engine operating in a cogeneration mode (CHP), and two different users for the cogenerated heat. One process layout cogenerated heat in a district heating network (CHP+DH layout). In the second process layout, the cogenerated heat produces additional electricity through a double Organic Rankine Cycle (CHP+ORC layout). In addition to the performance of reed gasification (cold gas efficiency in the range of 0.6-0.61), the results showed that the highest rational efficiency was reached in the cogeneration unit, while the highest relative irreversibilities were allocated to the gasifier and the dryer. The global energy efficiencies are 0.49 and 0.22 for the CHP+DH and CHP+ORC layouts, respectively, while the global exergy efficiencies are 0.21 and 0.20. The difference in the sustainability index is about 2%. The results and methods of this research work can be used to properly design Giant Reed (or similar biomass) gasification plants for combined heat and power production, considering the sustainable use of this feedstock according to a thermodynamic approach based on the second principle.
Source: Renewable Energy
Authors: Mauro Prestipino, Antonio Piccolo, Carlos Mourao Vilela, Antonio Galvagno
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,160
Funder: European Commission
OpenAlex ID: W4404516650